[U.S. SOCCER] U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati said Bob Bradley's experience and record outweigh the danger of "things getting stale." For his part, during the press conference announcing his four-year contract extension, Bradley explained his "vision" for the next cycle.

“The most decisive factors were experience, the record over the last four years, in games that mattered, especially,” said Gulati. “And frankly we had weigh that against something Bob and I spent a lot of time talking about, which is this issue of eight years and
whether things might get stale. …

“In the end, I came to the conclusion that the experience and the record and the work over the last four years overcame any issues about staleness.”

Bradley guided the USA to the round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup, better than its winless first-round exit in 2006 but short of the 2002 run to the quarterfinals during the two World Cups with Bruce Arena at the helm during his eight-year tenure.

“We’ve had more stability and that’s a positive,” said Gulati. “We’ve had a lot of discussion about the positives and some of the freshness issues that have been discussed. And all of the positives greatly outweigh all of our other concerns.

“We have a coach who’s coached 80 some games internationally and that’s experience Bob didn’t have four years ago. That’s clearly a plus.”

Said Bradley, “Keeping an environment fresh and sharp is what coaching is about. You can be on the job for a short time and if you lose your concentration or you get caught up in other things – credibility is put to the test everyday as a coach regardless if you’ve been on the job for four years or four days.”

Bradley, 52, has compiled a record of 38-20-8 (win-loss-tie) record, won the 2007 Gold Cup, finished runner-up at the 2009 Confederations Cup, and finished first in Concacaf qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

“I’m very, very excitied to continue in role,” Bradley said. "I certainly believe the work we’ve done in the last four years, the experiences we’ve had, will really work for us as we put one cycle behind us and begin the process of the next four years.

“It’s a good thing to look hard at what’s taken place. Really do inventory. The things we did along the way we that we did well. The things that we can continue to improve upon.

“And now put all of those different experiences into a good plan and a vision that I believe will take us further in the next four years.”

Asked to the describe the vision, Bradley said:

“A vision means as a team we take the qualities that we have, our mobility, our athleticism, and we combine them with continued attempts to improve in terms of our understanding the way we create chances, the way we move. …

“Technically, while we’re not yet at the level of the top teams, we continue to be a team that is improving technically and that shows in our ability to pass the ball well to create chances. And to combine those things in an overall team concept.”For U.S. Soccer's transcripts of the Gulati-Bradley press conference clickHERE.

What utter, embarrassing nonsense coming from the mouths of two supposed leaders of the US Soccer community. It's no wonder that soccer lacks media credibility when we have Bozo and Clarabell representing us!! How can any one expect these two to implement a vision of growth and development for US Soccer. Gulati speaking in his best "bureaucratese" does a poor imitation of George Bush --- “We’ve had more stability and that’s a positive,” said Gulati. “We’ve had a lot of discussion about the positives and some of the freshness issues that have been discussed. And all of the positives greatly outweigh all of our other concerns." C'mon this sounds like it was written for Saturday Night Live !!!
And then our illustrious MNT coach launches into a string of sports cliches that would embarrass Yogi Berra. OMG, the inmates are truly in charge of the institution !!!!

Paul Lorinczi

commented on: September 1, 2010 at 8:31 a.m.

What stability is he referring? A team built around his Bradley's son at the expense of other talent that could occupy that position?
Somehow, I don't see Bob Bradley trying to figure out how to establish an American style that incorporates the Latin American talent available.
We need to get the English influence out of our game.

Gregory Weiss

commented on: September 1, 2010 at 9:40 a.m.

In the end, both Gulati and Bradley know that we don't have the players to compete at the international level. No forward scored a goal! Frankly, Bradley had a very impressive 4 year cycle if you look at our roster. The real decisions that will impact the future of soccer in America are more about promoting the sport and developing academies or some other substitute for the putried college system in this country. Jose Morinho isn't coaching our boys to a world cup.

David Huff

commented on: September 1, 2010 at 11:50 a.m.

They are both full of crap. It's all about MLS and its owners keeping a stranglehold over the USMNT so that they can keep the "American" brand alive lest helpful foreign influences (i.e. non-MLS and non-British) might intrude that would demonstrate that there is more out there in the world to the American soccer consumer. Well I say 'Eff' MLS, USSF, Bradley, Gulati and Flynn, its time for a fan/player strike to prevent the rise of Domenech II foisted upon us by these clowns. I'll be very happy to watch EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Mexican, Argentinian and Brasilian league football on FSC and GolTV instead of attending/watching the inferior USSF/MLS product or buying their merchandise.

James Froehlich

commented on: September 1, 2010 at 1:13 p.m.

Gregory -- I agree with everything you have said however your comments leave unanswered the question of who should be "promoting the sport and developing academies ..." . I personally believe that Gulati and his staff have the primary responsibility to perform those tasks. However, I also believe that the USMNT coach has a responsibility to tell Gulati and the rest of the soccer community what is needed in order to improve the number and quality of US players. Our MNT coaches have known what was needed for years yet not one of them has ever broken the code of silence that binds the coaching and development community together. In addition, the soccer media is so close to the people and organizations that they are supposed to be reporting on that they too have never had the guts to say what needs to be said.

David Huff

commented on: September 1, 2010 at 1:51 p.m.

@ James: I agree with you, bottom line is we are pretty much screwed for another 4 years with the USMNT unless dramatic changes are made (highly unlikely given the reappointment of MLS Bob). I'm done with them and MLS for now, there's a lot better product that can be viewed on FSC, GolTV, Univision, Telemundo etc.

David Brown

commented on: September 1, 2010 at 5:35 p.m.

The entire development system needs reworking. To me, it all comes down to touches on the ball and that happens in practices....not games or travel team tournaments. I think we spend entirely too much time focusing on "winning the tournament" rather than teaching and instruction. For a nation of 308 million how is it we have a hard time developing players yet countries with only 24 million can and do?

Mark Hudgens

commented on: September 9, 2010 at 12:58 p.m.

Dave,
I'll tell you why. At the liberty of stealing a post from another story. I think Carl Hudson summed it up very well and I continue to see it all over.
"commented on: September 1, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.
Until Youth Soccer (U7-U18) stops being a cash cow for hundreds of "coaches" and club officials, we will continue our mediocrity. As the cost for a kid to PLAY Soccer have soared from $50 a year to $2000 + over the last 15 years, the QUALITY of the players has deteriorated. How much does a BraZilian 9-year-old cost his parents to play soccer? Next to nothing, I imagine. Which is as it should be. "
Our country is leaving untold numbers of players in the lurch because of it.